Monsoon season dangers Arizonans shouldn’t ignore: Mosquito bites

Saman Manzouri, D.O.

Submitted photo/Optum-Arizona

Mosquitoes are part of life in Arizona, especially during and after monsoon storms, but bites should not be ignored when symptoms change or worsen. Most bites are minor and can be managed at home, but fever, severe pain, spreading redness, confusion, neck stiffness, unusual bleeding or other serious symptoms should prompt medical attention.”

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OPINION — In Arizona, mosquito bites are more than a backyard nuisance, especially during monsoon season. The body’s reaction to mosquito saliva causes the familiar bump and itching. A typical bite may appear as a puffy, reddish bump within minutes, a hard, itchy, reddish-brown bump or multiple bumps about a day later.

Most common bites can be treated at home by washing the area with soap and water, applying an ice pack for 10 minutes, using a baking soda and water paste, or using an over-the-counter anti-itch or antihistamine cream according to the label. Scratching should be avoided because bites can become infected.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an infected bite may look red, feel warm or show a red streak spreading outward. Worsening symptoms should be checked by a healthcare provider.

We hear a lot about West Nile Virus in Arizona, and so far this year, 55 cases have been reported in the state, according to the CDC. About 80% of those infected with the virus do not develop symptoms. If symptoms do develop, they tend to be mild and include fever with headache, joint pain, body aches, vomiting, rash or diarrhea.

Fatigue can last for weeks. Less than 1% can develop severe illness requiring hospitalization. Death is a possibility in very rare cases. High fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, convulsions and paralysis are some of the severe symptoms.

Dengue is another mosquito-borne illness that mainly affects travelers and has a history of local transmission in Arizona.

Fever with eye pain, muscle pain, joint pain, bone pain and nausea are the most common symptoms of dengue. It is important to seek emergency help for severe dengue that can include any of the following: belly pain, repeated vomiting, bleeding from the nose or gums, vomiting blood or blood in the stool.

In my practice and as a medical director at a network of primary-care providers, medical clinics and specialists operating across Maricopa County, my advice is that preventing mosquito bites is the best medicine.

The CDC recommends EPA-registered repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol or 2-undecanone, and recommends loose-fitting long sleeves and pants. Permethrin-treated clothing and gear can help, but permethrin products should not be used directly on skin. Around the home, remove standing water once a week by emptying, scrubbing, turning over, covering or throwing out items that hold water.

Mosquitoes are part of life in Arizona, especially during and after monsoon storms, but bites should not be ignored when symptoms change or worsen. Most bites are minor and can be managed at home, but fever, severe pain, spreading redness, confusion, neck stiffness, unusual bleeding or other serious symptoms should prompt medical attention.

The best approach is to treat bites early, watch for warning signs and reduce mosquito exposure before bites happen.

Saman Manzouri, D.O. is a Valley physician. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.